Veteran Siphiwe Tshabalala scored a trademark free-kick to secure an ill-deserved point for Kaizer Chiefs in their 1-1 draw with Baroka FC in an Absa Premiership clash at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Tuesday.
Tshabalala equalized for Chiefs after they had fallen behind to a Daniel Cardoso own goal, with the Soweto giants having managed just two points from their opening three matches of the new league season.
Baroka may well believe they should have got more from the game after dominating much of the play and creating a number of chances to take all three points, with the excellent Zimbabwe international Talent Chawapiwa a constant thorn in the side of the visitors.
Baroka took the lead in calamitous circumstances for the visitors as centre-back Cardoso allowed a long ball to bounce and as he tried to recover, headed it past an on-rushing Itumeleng Khune in the Chiefs goal.
That was on 36 minutes, but shortly before halftime Chiefs were level when Tshabalala's free-kick from 25-yards struck the inside of the post and head the beating of Baroka keeper Ayanda Dlamini.
If the first half had been slow and lacking in real zip, the second was all action as both sides created excellent chances to score again.
Baroka's Mpho Kgaswane struck the post after a brilliant run and cross from the livewire Talent Chawapiwa, before Gustavo Paez headed just wide at the other end after an excellent touch from Khama Billiat.
Chiefs' Colombian forward Leonardo Castro then had a header cleared off the line, while Baroka forward Ranga Chivaviro had time and space to pick his spot, but saw his effort blocked by Cardoso.
The home side kept the pressure on Khune's goal in the closing minutes, but could not force a winner their play deserved.
Chiefs are next in action away at Maritzburg United on Friday night, while Baroka play neighbours Polokwane City 'away' at the same venue on Saturday.